Blue Jays' Varsho could return during series against Yankees

Reinforcements could be coming soon for the slumping Toronto Blue Jays.

Daulton Varsho will be in the lineup for the triple-A Buffalo Bisons on Friday as the designated hitter, his sixth minor-league appearance during this rehab assignment and third at DH, manager John Schneider said on Sportsnet's Blair and Barker on Friday.

There is an outside chance that Varsho will return to the big-league club this weekend in New York against the Yankees, but it's more probable he makes his 2025 debut in Toronto next week, Schneider added.

The 2024 Gold Glover's start to the season has been delayed after he underwent shoulder surgery in September.

Starting pitcher Max Scherzer threw 27 pitches off the mound on Friday after making progress throwing from flat ground on Monday in Houston. Scherzer has received two cortisone shots in his thumb while dealing with nagging soreness.

Right-handed reliever Nick Sandlin is back in Toronto while the Blue Jays complete their road trip and has yet to start throwing after being placed on the 15-day injured list with a right lat strain on April 20. The earliest Sandlin would be eligible to return is May 5.

Erik Swanson — who was placed on the 15-day IL retroactive to March 24 at the start of the season — threw 16 pitches over one inning during an extended spring training game on Friday. Schneider said that Swanson felt good.

The 31-year-old relief pitcher was diagnosed with median nerve entrapment during spring training after experiencing elbow discomfort but did not have any structural damage after undergoing an MRI.

Ryan Burr is also scheduled to throw off a mound on Saturday, the right-handed bullpen arm started the season on the IL with right shoulder inflammation.